So, you go to Grand Canyon University, a school with no football team, no Greek Life, and no formal events (what’s up with that, by the way?). What are you supposed to do when thirty minutes away, students are partying at ASU frats and going to football games at the arena? I admit, it’s a tough one, but you chose the private, Christian, affordable choice.
Here are 7 chill options for spending your night on campus:
Hang out with the campus cats
Some people don’t even seem to know where the campus cats are coming from, and we don’t know their background either, other than the fact that the GCU TNR cat club traps them and they hang out in the cat park. Sometimes, I head out in the evening with cat treats I buy on Amazon and see which cats I can feed. It brings my friends and me some joy seeing the cats wandering around on campus when we walk to class. Be careful around them, and beware of bug bites!
Bring marshmallows to the firepits
Over by the Canyon Activities Center and across from the skatepark near the Rivers are a few firepits where students hang around and chat it up with each other. Sometimes small events happen there, but mainly it’s just a cool hangout spot for friends. Why not bring some marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate over there to make yourself some s’mores?
watch an Ethington Production
I can’t stress enough how fun it is to watch the plays, musicals, and dance productions that take place in Ethington Theatre, the fine arts building. As a student, you get into all of that stuff for free, so take advantage of that on a Friday night when you can’t head over to a football game. Get your ticket in advance before they sell out (believe me, they do) and enjoy a chill night watching your peers!
People watch on Lopes Way
What better way to spend your evening than sitting on the metal chairs with a friend while watching people scootering and walking up and down Lopes Way? Bonus points if a student-led rock band is performing a Foo Fighters song twenty feet away from you. Grab a milkshake from Chick-fil-A and see what interesting characters you can find.
Join the medieval combat club
This club meets on Prescott field in the evenings, which is already a prime spot to hang out. Members of this club have a lot of fun fighting with fake swords and hanging out as a group. They are welcoming to new people and meet every Wednesday and Friday of the week from 7-9 pm. If you need a fun way to release some energy after classes, then this might be for you! And no, this isn’t larping.
Play Ping pong at the riverbed
The Riverbed might be far from you on campus since it’s at the edge of the east side, but it’s still a chill spot to hang out with your friends after classes, on weekends, or in the evening. They have a pool table, a few old video games, and of course, Ping-Pong. Grab your friends and head over in your sweats for some competitive games!
Go for a nighttime walk
When I have nothing else to do but know I need exercise (and I’m afraid of going to the gym sometimes), I pop in my AirPods and go for a walk. This is so much fun once the sun goes down and you don’t feel on fire. It gets some of the day’s energy out so I sleep better at night, and I can catwalk down the sidewalk listening to “Vogue” by Madonna; it’s a win-win.
GCU has its quirks, but there are still fun things to do on campus when your classes are over or you’re stuck here on the weekends. Don’t forget to go to events and activities put on by the Canyon Activities Board throughout the year as well!